United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned on Monday that India is on a negative trajectory in terms of religious freedom (Forbes, TOI). USCIRF is U.S. government body that monitors religious freedoms in different countries. USCIRF's annual report finds that “In 2015, religious tolerance deteriorated and religious freedom violations increased in India. Minority communities, especially Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs, experienced numerous incidents of intimidation, harassment, and violence, largely at the hands of Hindu nationalist groups. Members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tacitly supported these groups.”

The commission said it would closely monitor the situation in the year ahead to determine if India should be recommended to the U.S. State Department for designation as a “country of particular concern,” under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) for systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom. The Indian government rejected the findings of the report, saying it “fails to show proper understanding of India, its constitution and its society.”